air power

American  

noun

1. the total military capability of a nation for operations involving the use of aircraft and missiles.

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air power British  

noun

1. the strength of a nation's air force

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Etymology

Origin of air power

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Some US analysts have described the loss of an F-15E deep inside Iranian territory, followed by the destruction of several rescue aircraft, as showing the limitations of the US air power.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

"This is a new type of approach to air power where you have a crewed fighter giving directions to four or five Ghost Bats flying in formation with it," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The war is also demonstrating that naval and air power are still essential in modern combat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Even Kosovo, often cited as the success story of coercive air power, undermines the case.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

And we have good reason to believe that their shipping and their air power cannot support such outposts.

From The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Roosevelt, Franklin Delano